History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c7.s12.49

v1.c7.s12.49

The term *bindu* (“dot”) has been used for zero in word numerals as well as in later literature,\2 when a small circle was in use to denote zero, the dot having been given up long before. The quotation from Subandhu cannot, therefore, be taken as a definite proof of the use of the dot as a symbol for zero in his time. All that we can infer is that at some period before Subandhu, the dot was in use. We may go further and state that very probably, the earliest symbol for zero was a dot and not a small circle.